Distributed synchronous batch reconfiguration of a network

Abstract

A novel alternative concept for handling dynamic provisioning changes and ongoing network reconfiguration and incremental reoptimization in general. A prime motivation is concern about the dependency of existing concepts for dynamic provisioning on the real-time coherence of databases of network state at diverse geographic locations. Not only is the continual updating of such global state everywhere in the network an intensive real-time load, but inevitable incoherencies pose hazards in network operation. The alternative proposal is a framework that makes use precise time synchronization and the computational power of network nodes to solve identical local instances of incremental reoptimization problems in situ. The new scheme removes the database coherency hazard, reduces signaling volumes, and increases resource efficiencies in service provisioning. It also provides a framework in general for continually ongoing incremental or (if desired) total reoptimization of network configuration. The proposal also points directions towards some new research questions such as implementation of optimization models for identical solution on disparate platforms and definition of a variety of incremental batch reoptimization problems. It is thought that this may be one of the first practical application concepts for transport network management that would involve on-line embedded use of operations research methods in communication networks.